How to use Kali Linux Official Image to install Kali Linux in VMware 15 and VirtualBox 6

In this blog post, I will show you how to setup Kali Linux 2019 using official images made available from Kali Linux. These custom images can be directly deployed on VirtualBox and VMware.

Some people face a lot of problem while installing Kali Linux using the official ISO image in VMware and VirtualBox. To skip these problems, best way is to use the official custom Kali Images made available for VMware and VirtualBox

Step 1 – Download the VirtualBox

Download 32 or 64 bit version based on your system. I always use 64 bit version. The download size is around 3.9 GB. I recommend using torrent to download the file as it is much faster that direct download. The name of the downloaded file will be something like kali-linux-2019.1-vbox-amd64.ova.

Step 2 – Import Kali Linux image in VirtualBox

Open VirtualBox and go to File->Import Appliance to import the Kali Linux VirtualBox Image.

VirtualBox – Import Appliance

In Alliance to Import, browse to the folder where you have downloaded the .ova file. Select the file to open it.

VirtualBox Import appliance

This will open the Kali Linux Image for VirtualBox and you will see the default for the VM. Click on Import to import the VM.

VirtualBox Import appliance

You will see that the import process begins. Wait for sometime for the process to complete.

VirtualBox VM Import progress

Once the Import completes you will see the Kali VM in VirtualBox manager. Click on Start to start the VM.

You will see the GRUB boot loader and after sometime, VM will start and you will see the login screen.

Login with User name – root
Password – toor

You will login to Kali Linux. That’s it, you are done. You dont have to install VirtualBox Guest Additions to switch to full screen mode. It is already installed as a part of the image. You can switch to full screen mode.

Step 1 – Download the VMware Image

Download 32 or 64 bit version based on your system. I always use 64 bit version. The download size is around 2.5 GB. I recommend using torrent to download the file as it is much faster that direct download. The name of the downloaded file will be something like kali-linux-2019.1-vm-amd64.7z. Its an archive file

Step 2 – Extract the downloaded file

7.zip utility tool can be used to extract the downloaded file. Please note that disk space required to extract the file is around 10.5 GB. Make sure that you have sufficient disk space.

Extract Kali Linux VMware Image with 7-Zip

Step 3 – Open Kali Linux image in VMware Workstation

In VMware workstation, click on Open a Virtual Machine or go to File-> Open.

VMware Workstation – Open Virtual machine

Select the .vmx file from the folder in which you have extracted the kali linux image files. The name of the file will be something like this Kali-Linux-2019.1-vm-amd64.vmx

VMware Workstation – Open Virtual Machine

Once you open the file, you will see something like this. In the below screenshot, you can see in the description box, user name and password. Also, you can see by default, allocated RAM is 2 GB, 4 Processor and 80 GB hard disk. Normally. I leave this as the default. if you want to change them, you can click on Edit virtual machine settings and make changes based on your preference.

VMware Workstation – Open Virtual Machine

VMware Workstation – Kali official Image settings

Step 4 – Open Kali Linux VM

Click on Power this virtual machine to start the VM. You will see a dialog box asking you if you have moved or copied the VM. Click on I copied it to continue.

You will see the GRUB boot loader and after sometime, VM will start and you will see the login screen.

Login with User name – root
Password – toor

You will login to Kali Linux. That’s it, you are done. You dont have to install VMware tools to switch to full screen mode. It is already installed as a part of the image. You can switch to full screen mode.

Kali Linux

How to install Kali Linux 2019 in VMware Player 15 using Kali Linux VMware Image

Setting up Kali Linux in VMware Player 15 using VMware image is pretty straight forward. It involves downloading the image, extracting the files and opening the virtual machine in VMware Player 15.

In you have not installed VMware Player 15 yet, please refer to my blog here.

Below are the steps.

Step 1 – Download the VMware Image

Download 32 or 64 bit version based on your system. I always use 64 bit version. The download size is around 2.5 GB. I recommend using torrent to download the file as it is much faster that direct download. The name of the downloaded file will be something like kali-linux-2019.1-vm-amd64.7z. Its an archive file

Step 2 – Extract the downloaded file

7.zip utility tool can be used to extract the downloaded file. Please note that disk space required to extract the file is around 10.5 GB. Make sure that you have sufficient disk space.

Extract Kali Linux VMware Image with 7-Zip

Step 3 – Open Kali Linux image in VMware Player

In VMware workstation Player 15, click on Open a Virtual Machine

VMware Player 15 home screen

Select the .vmx file from the folder in which you have extracted the kali linux image files. The name of the file will be something like this Kali-Linux-2019.1-vm-amd64.vmx

Once you open the file, you will see something like this.

VMware Player – Kali Linux Virtual machine

By default, allocated RAM is 2 GB, 4 Processor and 80 GB hard disk. Normally. I leave this as the default. if you want to change them, you can click on Edit virtual machine settings and make changes based on your preference.

Step 4 – Play Kali Linux VM

Click on Play virtual machine to start the VM. You will see a dialog box asking you if you have moved or copied the VM. Click on I copied it to continue.

You will see the GRUB boot loader and after sometime, VM will start and you will see the login screen.

Login with User name – root
Password – toor

You will login to Kali Linux. That’s it, you are done. You dont have to install VMware tools to switch to full screen mode. It is already installed as a part of the image. You can switch to full screen mode.

Underneath a boring IT professional lies a passionate student of computer science. I love computers and this blog is about everyday computer issues that a common man faces. Through this blog I try to reconnect with my long forgotten self.